Program Type: Career Program

Program Total: 60 Credits

Program Description

The Visual Communication/Graphic Design, Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree prepares students for a career in visual communication or graphic design. Students learn about traditional design, digital media, and a variety of production methods as well as acquire skills in design for print, screen, and motion graphics. Additionally, students apply what they learn for a range of audiences and are able to develop a visual product from concept to completion. Throughout the program, students assemble a showcase portfolio. Visual Communication/Graphic Design is a career program which prepares students for entry-level job positions. Some of the courses transfer to four-year institutions. Students planning to pursue a bachelor's degree in visual communication, graphic design, or related program at 4-year institutions should work closely with college advisors in order to meet the requirements of the transfer institution.

Graduates of the Visual Communication/Graphic Design A.A.S. will be able to:

  • Apply traditional and digital methods to student-created works of visual communication.
  • Identify the evolving practices and emerging technologies of the visual communication industry.
  • Demonstrate the stages of developing a visual product from concept to completion.
  • Evaluate client/project needs, outlining the production and labor needed to meet project goals.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with professional technology, terminology, pipeline, and overall practices within the visual communication industry.
  • Assemble a showcase portfolio.
Required Courses

PAS-1000 First Year Experience Credits: 1 (Institutional Requirement)

ART-1570 Introduction to Computer Graphics Credits: 3 (Computer Literacy Program Requirement; Critical Course)

EGL-1010 Composition I: Expository Writing Credits: 3 (English General Education Requirement)

ART-1510 Two-Dimensional Design Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

MAT-1130 Mathematical Ideas Credits: 3 (Mathematics General Education Requirement; Critical Course)

HST-1370 The World in the Twentieth Century Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Elective) or

GEO-1010 Physical Geography Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Elective)

ART-1530 Drawing I Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

ART-2620 Digital Illustration Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

EGL-1100 Composition II: Writing About Issues and Ideas Credits: 3 (English General Education Requirement)

ART-2410 Graphic Design I Credits: 3 (Program Requirement; Critical Course)

COM-1010 Foundations of Communication Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities General Education Requirement)

ART-1620 Digital Publication Design Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

ART-2610 Graphic Design II Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

ART-2530 Drawing II Credits: 3 (Program Elective) or

ART-1780 Digital Photography I Credits: 3 (Program Elective) or

ART-1540 Painting I Credits: 3 (Program Elective) or

ART-1590 Watercolor I Credits: 3 (Program Elective)

ART-2520 Color Theory and Application Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

ART-2730 Integrated Arts Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

ART-2570 Lettering Typography and Layout Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

ART-2510 Three-dimensional Design Credits: 3 (Program Elective) or

ART-2740 Modern Art Credits: 3 (Program Elective) or

ART-2720 African-American Art Credits: 3 (Program Elective) or

ART-2930 Art/Visual Communication Internship III Credits: 3 (Program Elective)

ART-2650 Animation and Multimedia I Credits: 3 (Program Elective; Critical Course) or

ART-2670 3-D Digital Modeling and Animation Credits: 3 (Program Elective; Critical Course)

ART-2900 Portfolio Development for Visual Arts Credits: 1 (Program Requirement)

NTR-1010 Introductory Nutrition Credits: 3 (General Education Elective Science, No Lab) or

BIO-1110 Environmental Biology Credits: 3 (General Education Elective Science, No Lab)

BMT-1500 Developing a Professional Image Credits: 1 (Program Requirement)

Career Coach